How to Study in Kuala Lumpur for International Students

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Kuala Lumpur, one of the beautiful cities in Malaysia, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Kuala Lumpur currently has 12 universities, from which 2 universities are a part of the public sector and 10 universities are private institutions.

Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Kuala Lumpur you should definitely check out are Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation, Asia School of Business, and University of Malaya.

Being able to study in Kuala Lumpur as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Kuala Lumpur, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Kuala Lumpur

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Kuala Lumpur, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 11,800 MYR to 58,200 MYR, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 5,000 MYR and 335,000 MYR.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Kuala Lumpur

To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Kuala Lumpur, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
University of Malaya 11,800 MYR - 58,200 MYR 9,515 MYR - 33,900 MYR

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Kuala Lumpur

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation 32,000 MYR 29,800 MYR - 38,800 MYR
Asia School of Business 150,000 MYR - 335,000 MYR
UCSI University 15,000 MYR - 30,300 MYR 12,500 MYR - 57,600 MYR
HELP University 18,800 MYR - 24,300 MYR 18,000 MYR - 26,500 MYR
University of Kuala Lumpur 15,600 MYR - 22,300 MYR 5,000 MYR - 55,200 MYR
International University of Malaya- Wales 19,900 MYR - 24,700 MYR 28,000 MYR - 28,200 MYR
International Medical University 39,100 MYR - 40,400 MYR 21,500 MYR - 27,500 MYR

If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Kuala Lumpur, check out the Cheap Universities in Kuala Lumpur!

Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.

2. Requirements to Study in Kuala Lumpur for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Kuala Lumpur, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Kuala Lumpur, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Kuala Lumpur may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Kuala Lumpur are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Kuala Lumpur and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Asia School of Business

Master’s degree

UCSI University

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Kuala Lumpur

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Kuala Lumpur have online applications available on their websites, like Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation and Asia School of Business. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Kuala Lumpur.

Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation

Asia School of Business

University of Malaya

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Kuala Lumpur differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Kuala Lumpur.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Kuala Lumpur

If you’re going to study in Kuala Lumpur, you will need to apply for a student visa in Malaysia

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Malaysia. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Student Visa.

To start your student visa application in Kuala Lumpur, you will need to present the following:

  1. One passport-size photograph with WHITE background
  2. A copy of passport
  3. A copy of your offer letter
  4. A copy of the health declaration form
  5. Copies of all academic records, certificates, or transcripts of studies
  6. Personal bond form
  7. Letter of Eligibility

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Malaysia is 819 MYR.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

  1. Complete the requirements.
  2. Submit your online Visa application and upload the required documents.
  3. Pay the visa application fees.
  4. Receive the Visa Approval Letter via email.
  5. Set up an appointment at the nearest Malaysian consulate or embassy.
  6. Bring all requirements along with the Visa Approval Letter during your appointment.
  7. Receive your passport with a Malaysian visa sticker.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Kuala Lumpur. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!